Paterson NJ 4th alarm, 222 16th Ave. 04-19-16

At just after 0600 hours on April 19th 2016, Paterson Fire Alarm struck the box for a possible building fire in the area of 16th Ave & Straight St. Co's arrived to find 222 16th Ave, a large 3 story frame OMD fully involved with extension into #224 an attached 3 story frame OMD, with a very heavy fire condition, reports of victims trapped, live wires down and the siding melting off the houses across the street, Battalion 3 transmitted the 2nd alarm. Ladders 1 & 2 went into operation in front of the buildings as ladder 3 set up in the rear on Park Ave. numerous large hand lines, 1 deck gun and at least 1 ground monitor were put into operation and with the threat of the fire extending into 226, another 3 story frame, Deputy 2, DC Calamita requested a 3rd alarm. Within 30 minutes, most of the heavy fire was knocked down, the roof of the main fire building collapsed and with heavy deep seated pockets of fire, all co's were still heavily engaged, a 4th alarm was requested for manpower. No firefighters were injured however 1 occupant was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. A large portion of the original fire building collapsed and needed to be demo'd, the B exposure suffered heavy damage and the B1 (226) exposure mostly smoke and water damage. Companies remained on the scene through the morning hitting hot spots.